U.S. grand slam drought: Is the NFL killing American tennis?

The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Andy Roddick hugs the U.S. Open trophy after winning his first grand slam title in September 2003.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Nine years later Roddick walked off the court for the last time in New York, having failed to add to that major victory. American tennis is still waiting for another male grand slam winner.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Following Roddick's retirement, John Isner is now the top-ranked American men's player. He reached a career-high ninth last year but has yet to go past the quarterfinals of a grand slam.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – The Harrison brothers are being tipped as the next big U.S. hopes. Ryan, right, has already won more than $1 million in prize money and represented his country in Davis Cup, while Christian -- two years younger at 18 -- is ranked 392nd.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Jimmy Connors led the way for the U.S. in the 1970s, winning five of the 12 grand slams captured by American men that decade.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – His great rival John McEnroe claimed six of the 11 won by U.S. men in the 1980s, with Connors taking three of those.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – There was a lull of five years between McEnroe's seventh and final grand slam to the 1989 French Open victory of Michael Chang, left, who beat Stefan Edberg as a 17-year-old to become the youngest winner of a major.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Pete Sampras won his first grand slam the following year before Jim Courier (pictured) took home four of the next nine on the schedule as he became world No. 1 at the age of 22.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – But it was Sampras who defined that golden generation of U.S. men's tennis as he won 12 of 21 grand slams captured by Americans in the 1990s.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Andre Agassi's eighth and final grand slam win came at the 2003 Australian Open. He had won three by early 1995, but had to wait another four years for his next.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – A young Agassi sits with his coach Nick Bollettieri in 1990. Bollettieri was so impressed by Agassi that he gave him a free scholarship at his academy.

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The future of U.S. men's tennis? – Bollettieri has worked with many of the world's top men's and women's players. He believes that hopes of a future "golden generation" in the U.S. are unlikely due to the competition from better-paid rival sports such as American football and basketball.

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Story highlights

It is almost a decade since an American man won a grand slam tennis title

Andy Roddick, now retired, was the last at the 2003 U.S. Open in New York

But that's not as easy as it may sound, especially when parents of talented kids do the maths.

Tennis has strong participation numbers among American school kids, but that drops off once they get to high-school age as the costs of playing skyrocket compared to subsidized sports such as gridiron, basketball and baseball.

"In junior high school, the school pays for travel expenses when they go for games. When the season is over, they pay for the expenses. Tennis you pay your own," says renowned coach Nick Bollettieri, whose academy (now owned by IMG) was the breeding ground for top U.S. men's talents such as Agassi, Sampras and Jim Courier.

'Show me the money'

Potential tennis stars are also being offered higher average pay by rival U.S. sports.

Bollettieri's research has indicated that, to break even on the men's ATP World Tour, you need to be ranked at least 163rd.

He says an NFL player of equivalent status earns $1.4 million a year -- and that's without endorsements.

"When a parent looks at the financial side and sees those two figures, they say, 'Wow, and it doesn't cost us a dime,' " added Bollettieri.

"If those same parents are struggling to make a living and they look in the paper and see $25 million for a four-year contract in baseball, $80 million for LeBron James ... they look at that and the programs that develop these people, it doesn't cost them anything."

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"Some of the guys come from tough situations who want it more -- then again, if you look at some guy from Mallorca named Nadal who presumably lives in a pretty decent situation, and some guy by the name of Federer came out of Switzerland and his parents were reasonably well off," the 54-year-old said.

Since Roddick's New York breakthrough, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have won 34 of the 37 grand slam titles.

"It's obvious that a lot of the other countries, their players have definitely become better, there's no question about that," says Michael Chang, the youngest player to win the French Open, as a 17-year-old back in 1989.

"The depth of men's tennis in particular has gotten deeper and deeper every year," the American told Open Court.

"When you've got guys like Rafa, Novak and Roger playing at the level they're playing, there's not going to be a whole lot of winners outside of those guys and now you can put Andy Murray inside of that group as well.

"It's been very, very difficult for American tennis to be able to follow our generation."

Success breeds success

Bollettieri believes the success of his Florida-based academy was based on offering scholarships to the likes of Agassi, Courier and Monica Seles, which later attracted other young talent from around the world including current stars such as Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters.

"When you get good people like that at the same place, when you get 15, 20, 30 players who are the best in America and some of the best in the world, they compete," the 81-year-old said.

"They're in a competition, not costing them a dime -- it helped get me where I am. You've got to have it very attractive for a young boy or girl of 11, 12, 13 years old to play tennis opposed to other sports if it looks like they're a hell of an athlete."

Roddick retired during last year's U.S. Open, on his 30th birthday, and now John Isner is America's No. 1 player.

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A towering 6 foot 9 inches, he could have been a basketball player but stuck with tennis and kept playing through four years at the University of Georgia before turning professional. It's an unusual path, as most top players join the pro ranks in their teens.

Ranked 15th in the world after reaching a career-high ninth last March, he has never gone past the quarterfinals of a grand slam. Arguably his major claim to fame is playing in the longest match of all time at Wimbledon in 2010, though he has beaten Federer and Djokovic.

"I would love to go further than that (quarterfinals) and I know my fellow American players would love to as well," Isner told Open Court at this month's San Jose Open, which is folding after 125 years of existence at various Californian venues.

Opportunities for young American players are reducing, with the second-oldest tennis tournament in the U.S. relocating to Brazil, while the license for the Los Angeles Open -- which began in 1927 -- was sold to a Colombian group last year.

"Ten years, it is a long time, but I don't think American tennis is as bad as people portray it to be," Isner said.

"In the '70s, '80s, '90s, I think American tennis fans were a bit spoiled with all these great players. The game today is very, very tough. It's very international.

"You see players in Europe that are just so strong and so physical and these guys are really dominating the game, especially the players that come from Spain."

Size matters

Bollettieri believes Isner will struggle to win a grand slam, not because a lack of ability but because of his size -- though Juan Martin del Potro, three inches shorter, won the 2009 U.S. Open.

"John has a lot of the tools, but the bigger you are you have to have footwork as well. The downfall of John today is footwork, mobility," Bollettieri said.

He is wary of predicting a future male U.S. champion, but is encouraged by some of the young talent emerging.

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Bollettieri points to Christian Harrison, the 18-year-old younger brother of world No. 76 Ryan -- who at just 20 has already represented his country in Davis Cup and passed $1 million in on-court earnings.

"Today the game depends on strength, mobility and then talent. You've got to have strength and speed, you've to have at least two weapons, you'll never make it with just one," said Bollettieri, who also has high hopes for 15-year-old Michael Mmoh -- who he calls a "big boy."

If size is becoming increasingly important -- players are much taller and stronger -- that means tennis has to fight to keep its prospects from joining more physical sports to which they would also be suited.

"It'd have been tough to have steered Kobe Bryant or LeBron James into tennis because they were such good athletes ... and the scholarships -- Bryant went from high school directly to the pros," Bollettieri said.

"It's not that a smaller person can't make it, but it's more difficult today."

Even though he is only 20, Ryan Harrison is coming to a make-or-break time in his fledgling career, according to U.S. sports journalist Douglas Robson.

"He really needs to make a move and I think he realizes that," Robson told Open Court.

"He's had some tough draws at majors but he hasn't been past the second round of a grand slam yet, he hasn't won an ATP Tour title, and a lot of players his age would've already passed those thresholds."

High cost of developing champions

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has been criticized in recent years for failing to produce successors to the last golden generation of male players, but Bollettieri supports the efforts of McEnroe's younger brother Patrick, who took over as head of development in 2008.

"They certainly are doing a lot, but it's tough to convince people when their son looks like he's going to be a helluva football player or basketball player," Bollettieri said.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos 175 photos

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over David Ferrer of Spain in the men's singles semifinal match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Sunday, September 9. The tournament, the last grand slam event of the year, continues through Monday in Queens, New York.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic serves to Ferrer as their match resumes Sunday after being delayed Saturday because of inclement weather.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer returns a shot to Djokovic on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic reacts to winning a point against Ferrer during the match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer, the No. 4 seed, serves to Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic returns a shot against against Ferrer during their men's singles semifinal match of the 2012 US Open on Saturday, September 8. The match was stopped in the middle of the first set due to approaching severe weather and resumed on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer follows through his shot against Djokovic on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic comes down on the ball while playing Ferrer on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators evacuate the Arthur Ashe Stadium during Ferrer and Djokovic's match as severe weather approached on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – British Andy Murray returns a shot against Czech Tomas Berdych during his men's singles semifinal match in the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Murray of Great Britain argues with the chair umpire Pascal Maria and Berdych on Saturday after the wind blew his hat off during their match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Berdych slams the ball onto Murray's side of the court on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Murray celebrates after winning a point against Berdych on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Rain falls on center court in Arthur Ashe stadium, causing officials to suspend play on day 13 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Grounds crew workers clear water during a rain delay on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Belarus' Victoria Azarenka stares down the ball during her women's singles semifinals match against Russia's Maria Sharapova during the U.S. Open on Friday, September 7.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sharapova returns a shot against Azarenka on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy of the American electro duo LMFAO attends the women's singles semifinal match between Azarenka and Sharapova on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates match point against Sharapova on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sarah Errani of Italy serves in her match against Serena Williams of the United States during a women's singles semifinal match Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Williams makes a return in her match against Errani.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the United States pose with their trophy after their men's doubles final match against Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point during his men's singles quarterfinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Thursday, September 6.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin del Potro returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic returns a shot.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin del Potro reacts at the net on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic lunges to make a return.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spain's David Ferrer celebrates his men's singles quarterfinal victory over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer returns a shot against Tipsarevic during their quarterfinal match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tipsarevic makes a backhand return to Ferrer.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tipsarevic slips on the court while attempting a return shot.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Bruno Soares of Brazil celebrate after defeating Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Marcin Matkowski of Poland to win their mixed doubles final match on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns a shot against Victoria Duval of the U.S. on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ipek Soylu of Turkey wipes her face during a break against American Chalena Scholl during their girl's juniors singles match on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Roddick of the United States salutes the crowd after losing his final career match to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles fourth-round match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Wednesday, September 5.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Coach Larry Stefanki, left trainer Doug Spreen, wife Brooklyn Decker and agent Graham Cross watch Roddick in his final match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Del Potro plays returns a backhand to Roddick on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick chases down the ball during his match against del Potro on Wednesday. Roddick announced he would retire after this Grand Slam.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Russian Maria Sharapova serves to France's Marion Bartoli during their women's singles quarterfinal match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Bartoli returns a shot against Sharapova on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – NBA basketball player Tyson Chandler and his daughter Sacha-Marie attend the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbia's Novak Djokovic pulls back to return a shot to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during his men's singles fourth-round match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Wawrinka carries his broken racquet off the court during his match on Wednesday against Djokovic.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Vinci serves to fellow Italian Errani on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbian Janko Tipsarevic clenches his fist after a play against German Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – France's Marion Bartoli reacts to a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Attendants get the court ready for Wednesday's match between Bartoli and Sharapova.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia to win their women's singles quarterfinals match on Tuesday, September 4.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – David Ferrer of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during their men's singles fourth-round match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts against Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators shelter under umbrellas as rain delays play during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Maria Sharapova of Russia and Marion Bartoli of France on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia makes a return shot in her women's singles match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roberta Vinci serves as she and Italian teammate Sara Errani play a women's doubles quarterfinals match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – The braids of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus swing with her follow-through during her match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A grounds crew dries the court Tuesday after rain suspended play.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Julia Goerges, left, of Germany and Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic react after a point against Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Serena Williams returns a shot Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mike Bryan, right, and Bob Bryan of the United States bump chests in celebration during their doubles match against Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Scott Lipsky of the United States on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sara Errani of Italy hits a return to Angelique Kerber of Germany during their women's singles match on Monday.

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us open day nine 05 – Marion Bartoli of France serves against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Martin Klizan of Slovakia takes a tumble Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Taylor Townsend of the United States serves during her doubles match on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Canadian player Milos Raonic of Canada prepares to serve on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Roddick of the United States celebrates after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy on Sunday, September 2.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fognini wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles third-round match against Roddick.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick returns a shot to Fognini.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Russia's Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Nadia Petrova of Russia and wins Sunday's match to move on to the quarterfinals.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Leonardo Mayer of Argentina hits a return to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles third-round match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Anna Tatishvili of Georgia celebrates a point during her women's singles fourth-round match Sunday against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany returns a shot to John Isner of the United States on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd Sunday after winning his men's singles third-round match against Julien Benneteau of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Benneteau returns a shot to Djokovic.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic serves to Benneteau.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Lleyton Hewitt of Australia hits a return to David Ferrer of Spain during their men's singles match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns a shot to top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match at the U.S. Open on Saturday, September 1.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the second-round match between American Andy Roddick and Australia's Bernard Tomic.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick celebrates a point during his men's singles second round match Tomic. Roddick, 30, who has announced he will retire after the U.S. Open, won in three sets.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Mallory Burdette of the United States during their women's singles third-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ryan Harrison of the United States reacts after a point against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in a second- round singles match. Del Potro won in four sets.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Czech Lucie Safarova serves to Russian Nadia Petrova of Russia during their third round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Jarkko Nieminen of Finland serves against John Isner of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Steve Johnson returns a shot against Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia serves the ball against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during their third-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – David Ferrer of Spain serves against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Varvara Lepchenko of the United States returns against Samantha Stosur of Australia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia serves against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during a women's singles third round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates match point after her women's second round match against Venus Williams of the United States on Day Four of the 2012 US Open on Thursday, August 30.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Venus Williams of the United States reacts during her women's second round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ana Ivanovic of Serbia returns a shot against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden during their women's singles second-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A ball boy stands by during the match between Kei Nishikori of Japan and Tim Smyczek of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Maria Kirilenko of Russia serves against Greta Arn of Hungary.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Pablo Andujar of Spain serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their men's singles second-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France jumps over the net while trying to return a shot against Martin Klizan of Slovakia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during a practice session.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Nicolas Almagro of Spain lies on the court as he celebrates match point after his men's singles second-round match against Philipp Petzschner of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Petzschner of Germany reacts during his men's singles second round-match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Petzschner of Germany slides during his men's singles second-round match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mardy Fish of the United States celebrates after defeating Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tatjana Malek of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sloane Stephens of the United States returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sloane Stephens of the United States reacts during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Kim Clijsters of Belgium reacts during her second round match loss to Laura Robson of Great Britain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Italian Andreas Seppi hits a backhand during his men's singles first-round match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbian Janko Tipsarevic serves against Guillaume Rufin of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sisters and doubles partners Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams of the U.S. take on U.S. players Mallory Burdette and Nicole Gibbs during their women's doubles first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – France's Alize Cornet returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Petra Kvitova.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mikhail Youzhny of Russia reacts during his match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – U.S. players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan chest bump after winning match point in their men's doubles first-round match against Belgian players David Goffin and Steve Darcis.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves against Florent Serra of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spain's Tommy Robredo poaches the ball during his men's singles first-round match against Italian Andreas Seppi.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – The water fountain under the iconic unisphere produces a rainbow at the grounds of the National Tennis Center.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A worker climbs a ladder to adjust the board displaying the women's draw.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Slovakia's Karol Beck stretches to return a backhanded shot against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fans wait for an autograph from U.S. player Andy Roddick after he defeated U.S. player Rhyne Williams.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Andy Roddick hits the ball against countryman Rhyne Williams during their first-round 2012 U.S. Open match in New York on Tuesday, August 28.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick wears patriotic shoes for his match against Williams.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Golfer Sergio Garcia of Spain signs an autograph for a fan as James Blake of the United States and Lukas Lacko of Slovakia compete.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France serves against Karol Beck of Slovakia during their first-round match on day two.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland selects tennis balls during a match against Nina Bratchikova of Russia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic hits against David Goffin of Belguim during their men's first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roberta Vinci of Italy celebrates a shot against Urszula Radwanska of Poland.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Agnieszka Radwanska returns to Bratchikova.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Angelique Kerber of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Anne Keothavong of Great Britain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fireworks expload over Arthur Ashe Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 U.S. Open on Monday, August 27.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fans watch fireworks as actress/singer Jordin Sparks performs the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Switzerland's Roger Federer serves to American Donald Young during their men's singles first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Donald Young reacts during his match against Roger Federer.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roger Federer returns a shot to Donald Young.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Alec Baldwin, center, and his wife, Hilaria Thomas, right, watch the first day of action Monday at the U.S. Open.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A downpour interrupts play Monday at Flushing Meadows.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – France's Marion Bartoli serves during her women's singles first-round match against American Jamie Hampton.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American James Blake celebrates a point during his men's singles first-round match against Lukas Lacko of Slovakia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. stretches to play a backhand against Andy Murray of Great Britain during their men's singles first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Murray shakes hands at the net with Alex Bogomolov Jr. after winning his men's singles first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Melanie Oudin returns a shot during her women's singles first-round match against Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Florian Mayer of Germany serves to American Jack Sock.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Belgium's Kim Clijsters moves to return a shot during her women's singles first-round match against American Victoria Duval.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A spectator in a kangeroo costume cheers from the stands during the match between Tatsuma Ito of Japan and Matthew Ebden of Australia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot to Melinda Czink of Hungary.

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Photos: Sloane Stephens, rising star 9 photos

Photos: Sloane Stephens, rising star9 photos

Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – American teenager Sloane Stephens stunned Serena Williams on Wednesday, January 23, beating the 15-time grand slam winner 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to reach the Australian Open semifinals. It was an unlikely victory for the 19-year-old tennis pro.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Williams congratulates Stephens at the end of their match on Wednesday.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Stephens came from one set down Wednesday to overcome third seed Williams, who suffered a back injury after having already rolled an ankle earlier in the tournament.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Stephens walks off the court Wednesday after winning her quarterfinal match against Williams at the Australian Open.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Stephens serves to Sara Errani of Italy during the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, on March 22, 2012.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Stephens gets ready to serve to former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia during their third-round match in the U.S. Open in New York on September 3, 2011. Stephens lost 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – Stephens returns a shot against Reka-Luca Jani of Hungary on the second day of the 2011 U.S. Open. Stephens outlasted Jani for a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (3) victory, her first win in a major tournament. It earned her a spot as the youngest player in the Women's Tennis Association's top 100.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – At the Sony Ericsson Open in 2011, Stephens signs an autograph for a young fan.

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Rising tennis star Sloane Stephens – During her junior career, Stephens picked up a doubles title at Wimbledon in London on July 4, 2010, with Hungarian teenager Timea Babos.

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Sloane Stephens: Tennis' rising star 8 photos

Sloane Stephens: Tennis' rising star8 photos

Sloane Stephens: Superstar in the making – Sloane Stephens has had a great year on the WTA Tour, reaching two semifinals and making the fourth round of the French Open. Her success is built around an aggressive game which has led to comparisons with Serena Williams.

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Power game – The 19-year-old American is extremely athletic and counts a speedy serve among her weaponry.

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Fearsome forehands – She also possesses a ferocious forehand which has been used to quell many oppenents this year. A strong showing at Wimbledon, where she reached the third round, was followed by her best ever performance at Roland Garros, eventually losing to U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur in the fourth round.

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Success as a junior – Stephens' success in 2012 follows a successful career as a junior. She first picked up a racket when she was nine years old, and moved from California to a Florida tennis academy to hone her skills.

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Doubles joy at Wimbledon – Her junior career included three consecutive doubles titles at the French Open, Wimbledon (pictured) and the U.S. Open with Timea Babos from Hungary (second left) in 2010.

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Growing fanbase – According to Jeff Newman, tournament director at the Citi Open in Washington D.C., Stephens has the "it" factor. "She resonates with the fans and has a great personality," Newman says.

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Highly marketable – "People are looking for the next superstar -- someone to replace the Williams sisters -- and she certainly has the ability," says Newman.

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Talented parents – Stephens is blessed with great sporting genes. Her mother Sybil Smith was a champion swimmer for Boston University, while her father John Stephens (pictured) was an NFL running back. They divorced when Sloane was a child, and he was killed in a car accident in 2009.

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He said the USTA could highlight the top 20-30 young players in the country, but it would then cost $3-7 million a year to develop them.

To attend one of IMG's academy programs -- Bollettieri sold his interest to the sports agency in 1987 -- players will pay between $50,000-69,000 depending on age and whether they board. IMG gives out scholarships "on a limited basis" selected on academic, athletic, character and financial review.

"Pat is working his ass off getting more people playing the game, but what happens is when they get to be 13, 14 and have a lot of potential -- that's where the cost factor comes in and they have to come up with millions of dollars," Bollettieri said.

"We've got more people playing now, more youngsters, but in order to get the champions ... the people are blinded by what they see every day."

Courier, who won four grand slam titles in the early 1990s and topped the world rankings at the age of 22, is also loathe to blame anyone for the lack of American men's success.

"America has no ownership of the top ranking. It's a free-for-all," the U.S. Davis Cup captain told Open Court.

"Tennis is a very individual sport and I think it'd be very naive for a country to take the credit for individual players. Does America take credit for Tiger Woods? I'd say Earl Woods deserves the credit -- he's the one who really drove that.

"So in the tennis landscape, you look at the Williams sisters. Their father was a big driver, my family was a big driver, so I don't think we can put any blame on anyone."